Man meets team who saved his life after he collapsed

A 72-YEAR-OLD man has been reunited with the group of people who saved his life after he suffered a cardiac arrest.

- OWEN YOUNGER

Thanks to the quick-thinking of the public and hard-work from paramedics, Peter Routledge, from Bedlington, can now celebrate Christmas with his family.

Peter collapsed while walking to the bus stop at Bedlington station on his way to a dental appointment. Members of the public phoned 999 and got additional help from construction workers on the building site across the road.

The nearby public defibrillator was out of action after being vandalised earlier that same day.

Chest compressions, which were delivered to Peter during CPR, were vital in keeping blood pumping around his body until paramedics arrived.

Thankfully, all building sites operated by Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, the firm in charge of work on Bedlington Station, part of the Northumberland Line Project, have defibrillators on site.

With support from NEAS health advisor Dawn Hudspith, general foreman Clive Goffatt carried out CPR and used the site's defibrillator until the arrival of Blyth ambulance crew Matthew Sanderson and Michael Ashbridge.

Minutes later, they were backed up by a NEAS clinical team leader, Mark Walker, and a second ambulance crew, Megan Carter and Bogdan Volindan.